So let's sum up as Spring Training gets started:
At the end of last season, a 162-game spectacle that saw the team win 92 games while appearing to lose 94 games, Brian Cashman declared the team to be "at times unwatchable" and vowed to make big changes. A new shortstop, when there were some amazing free agents coming at that position, was the first priority, but catching, center field and first base, along with the starting rotation, would be addressed.
Yankee fans eagerly awaited the massive overhaul that was surely on its way. Sure, some favorites might get traded away but there would be exciting replacements, um, replacing them. And the days of Brett Gardner were surely done, but there would undoubtedly be a day in his honor during the 2022 season. Everybody loves Gardy.
In the ramp up to what EVERYONE knew would be an extended lockout of the players by the team owners, who swore they were doing it for everyone's good, we waited for the big names. The medium names. The small names.
Names.
Nothing happened before December while other teams in the division got better, at least a little. The Mets, of all people, landed Max Scherzer. The Yankees hired a woman to be a minor league manager at the lowest possible level. That was nice, but we just assumed they were waiting to see how the CBA would set the luxury tax bar so Hal Steinbrenner could figure out how many of his hundreds of millions he might be willing to part with in order to keep his elite brand elite.
Then came the interminable lockout but we were confident: Once that agreement was signed, the frenzy of big name players heading to the Bronx would be astounding. Totally worth the wait. The overhaul would be in full swing.
Well, they remodeled the downstairs bath and repainted the guest room and that was about it.
The new-look Yankees for 2022 are the old-look Yankees from 2021 with a quick sanding and a coat of varnish. Yes, the unfairly hated Gary Sanchez and the not-at-all-hated Gio Urshela are gone, and we are going to see Josh Donaldson, of all people, at third base, which was NOT one of the positions Cashman had identified as a priority.
Our new shortstop is, by all descriptions, the second coming of Tyler Wade but with better contact numbers. Analytics are all. Our new catcher is our old backup catcher and another guy who's just like him only left handed. Together they hit around .190. Will the defense be better? Yeah, but you know, Higgy passed a few balls last year too and hit 10 home runs while being given a lot more time behind the plate than anybody expected.
There WILL be a commemorative day at the Stadium this year, but it'll be for Paul O'Neill, whose number is being inexplicably retired. He was a good player, but hardly an immortal. Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth were discussing it the other day, and they're confused.
Gardner will be back any minute. You can count on that. You can also count on Aaron Hicks getting hurt sometime this season and then hearing Michael Kay talk about how they weren't expecting Gardy to get this many reps but you just can't see injuries coming.
Yes, you can. When a guy gets injured every year you can pretty much mark it on your calendar.
Oh, and while we're at it, unvaccinated players won't be able to take part in games played in New York City, and Aaron Judge will not say if he's vaccinated. There are others equally closed-mouthed on the subject and others who will tell you straight out that their "freedom" is more important than, you know, not getting sick or getting anyone else sick. Or their jobs.
So here's to the upcoming 2022 Yankees. Second verse, same as the first.
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